Myth 6 "The Myth of the Isolated Brain: When the Gut Thinks Too”

I witnessed in a public hospital in Spain how gastroenterologists, when asked whether diet affects cognitive processes, respond with an emphatic NO, almost like an outburst—whether due to their surprising certainty or the disbelief provoked by such a resounding denial. At that moment, my only evidence was empirical. A family member with serious memory problems, hospitalized and on intravenous fluids for 15 days, completely recovered the lost memory and, more importantly, regained control of their life. As real as life itself. Just as real as the two undercooked hamburgers of dubious origin they were served on the very first day they were allowed to leave the diet, along with a boxed sugary juice.

It was evident that if they could not see the relationship between diet and the digestive system, they were even less likely to see its implications for the brain and cognitive processes. What is striking is that this anecdote took place in 2025, despite the fact that as early as 2011 there were already highly prestigious scientific publications demonstrating how the microbiota directly influences cognition and behavior.

This study, conducted on rats, observed that animals with a healthy microbiota showed adequate neuronal growth factors, strong learning abilities, and normal behavioral regulation. However, when the microbiota of these animals was altered, clear behavioral changes emerged: learning difficulties, problems orienting themselves in basic tasks such as finding food, and significant alterations in social behavior.

Although studies now exist that demonstrate the relationship between attention and memory processes and the gut and microbiota—and also the reverse process, that is, the impact of meditation or attention training on the digestive system—this information is not yet widely disseminated. What we can do, however, is observe ourselves after eating. Do I feel slower or more mentally sharp? Do certain foods make me more irritable? Does eating late or drinking tea or coffee affect my sleep?

When we do not find answers in preventive medicine or in our cultural habits, we can always turn to observing our own bodies and making adjustments that help us feel more vital and more alert. Health is more a personal responsibility than that of third parties.

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